Clownfish is relentless HELP!

[fernalfer]

Ok so i bought 2 clown fish from the LFS at the same time. No fighting in tank at LFS. Then i brought them home and both were in Quarantine together for 8 weeks in a 20 gallon. No fighting. After Quarantine both were put in a 120 Gallon tank with no issues for the first 5 months. They would swim together and have a grand old time. NOW for the last month the bigger clown fish chases the other clown all day from lights on to lights off. He twitches his body at the other one then the clownfish darts to other side of tank to get away and the bigger clown follows and keeps harassing. Seems like no biting, no nipped fins, he just darts at him and then turns. He never gives up just chases the other one anywhere he goes in the tank.

Is this normal? Will it subside? I can tell the other clown is starting to get stress out.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[JHuneke]

Sounds like they are pairing up.. the twitching is the smaller male showing submission.

 

[fernalfer]

Sounds like they are pairing up.. the twitching is the smaller male showing submission.

Yes the smaller one kind of turns sideways motionless for a little then tries to swim away. The smaller one may twitch back every now and then but usually finally shows submission.

 

[rockhead51]

From my understanding, as long as their is no biting, it's just kids being kids. They are establishing dominance, and then the dominant one will morph into a female.

 

[JHuneke]

Ill bet in a couple weeks you'll have a bonded pair.. mine are inseparable once they paired up. They have been breeding now for over a year. I wouldn't worry.. unless the smaller one really takes a beating (not just nipping or a little fin chomp ) , I wouldn't intervene . All normal behavior